After ordering almost the same meal at Texas Roadhouse (left) and Outback Steakhouse (right), I had a few thoughts. Savannah Born

I, like many others, spent many years assuming Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse were basically the same thing: a mid-grade American steakhouse commonly located off a freeway exit.

In actuality, the chains are more different than I realized. For one, Texas Roadhouse has been leading the casual-dining industry by sales in recent years, beating out steakhouses like Outback and even popular chains like Chili's and Olive Garden.

Big-picture numbers and broad scale popularity aside, I was curious which chain truly offered the best bites and overall value.

To find out, I went to each chain in one Friday evening, visiting locations in a small Chicago suburb near my parents' house.…